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Free books to be available

Need something to read? Soon you’ll have another option, thanks to a local law firm and the Sandusky Library.

The Murray and Murray law firm in downtown Sandusky and the library have teamed up to offer the Little Free Library to Sandusky, small collections of used books available to everyone.

The first one will be located in Washington Park, near the SPARC stop and the Merry-Go-Round Museum and will be up soon. It’s essentially a box of books. Anyone can help himself to a book, or add a book. Little Free Libraries began in Wisconsin in 2009 and have spread around the world.

The plan is to install the first one in Washington Park to see if the community wants it and if it’s working, said John.

Want to help?The grand opening for the first Little Free Library will be celebrated at a reception at the library at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
Please bring a book or two and consider volunteering to help.

T. Murray, a partner in the family law firm who came up with the idea.

“We’re committed to do at least six if the first one works out” he said.

The law firm is paying for each sturdy little wooden library, which is about the size of a doghouse.

Murray and Murray bought the first one from the Little Free Library organization and will supply building materials for the others, which will be built by a Sandusky High School carpentry class supervised by Dean Riedy.

The library has agreed to supply the books — used books donated by supporters — and help recruit the volunteers who will keep an eye on the libraries and restock them.

Although the libraries are supposed to work on the honor system, with users contributing used books as well as taking them, it takes about 100 books a month to keep the libraries stocked with books, Brooks said.

The library hopes the community will help by donating used books, fiction and nonfiction, used books and children’s books.Magazines are not wanted. It might be fun for people to bring in some of their favorite books to share with others, Brooks said.

“Of course, it promotes reading and literacy,” she said. “Any way that can happen is a good thing”

“Reading is a key part of enjoyment of life and enjoyment of the arts,” said Murray, who likes historical novelists such as Ken Follett and books about his economics. His wife, Susan, is a reading teacher.